Adam Ariel May Miss Basketball Season Opener Due to Hip Injury

Adam Ariel, a key forward for the Israeli basketball club Ness Ziona, is facing a potential extended absence due to a hip injury, casting a shadow over the team's otherwise positive preseason. The 31-year-old, considered the team's top Israeli player, joined Ness Ziona this summer on a three-year contract.

Ariel previously recovered from a knee injury sustained during the recent national team window and had returned to full training. However, he has now suffered a hip injury, which kept him out of the team's game on Monday, where they advanced to the Winner Cup semifinals by defeating Hapoel Galil Elyon. He also played limited minutes in the team's two preparation games in Poland last week.

While a precise diagnosis is still pending, initial medical assessments suggest Ariel could be sidelined for approximately two months. This means he is likely to miss the start of the upcoming season, a significant blow to Ness Ziona, which has had an encouraging preseason. The club is awaiting further test results and hopes for optimistic news in the coming days.

Ariel was a prominent player for Maccabi Ramat Gan last season, considered one of his best career performances, establishing himself as a dominant force in the league. His contract with Ness Ziona includes a record salary for an Israeli player in the club's history.